Kaladin and Kalak

[NathanielHellman he/him]

When we first entered the world of Roshar, we are introduced to the world through the character of Kalak and his breaking of the Oathpack. From the little we see of Kalak we know that he is fundamentally a broken man who has suffered one too many times. This is rather similar to how we are introduced to Kaladin when he gets his own narration. He has seen his squad killed, he became a slave, and every time he fought back he made things worse. He is almost as broken as he could get and all it took were the bridgeruns to fully destroy him. From there Syl saves him and we see him rebuild his life bit by bloody bit.

Not only do these two characters share nearly identical names, but they both start out in similar situations of being at their lowest possible low. My theory is that they are mirrors of each other. I feel that at some point the two will run into each other and see in the other what might have happened if they chose a different path. As to what will happen then I don't know, but to me the similarities in more than just name seem too much. Sorry if someone else has commented on this before, but I can't read everything. 

[nervousnerd he/him]

It is likely that Kaladin is named after the herald (not sure if that is mentioned though) just like Shallan is with Shalash. It seems to be a somewhat common practice. There still may likely be parallels as you said.

[goody153]

I feel like Kaladin's only parallel with this Kalak guy is the name since they are kinda opposite with Kalak wanting to save his own skin(not suffer in between desolations again) and Kaladin wants to save others.

I would say that Kaladin and Jezrein has more obvious similarities and parallels. Like Kaladin & the windrunners have the same qualities as Jezrein(leadership, protecting people and all that crap) after all(well before he became a person who " can't stop drooling" apparently according to his other flying buddy Nale, Herald of Justice or whatever negative quality he has now)